Drilling machine



Filed y 17, 1951 +3 w: I58 46 I48 2 6 I w I I78 5 76 H6 4 HO r78 I76 F. H. MUELLER ETAL DRILLING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR" FRANK H. MUELLER JOHNJ SMITH ATTORNEY Sept. 8, 1953 F. H. MUELLER :1- AL ,651,222 DRILLING MACHINE Filed May 17, 195-1 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR FRANK .MUE ER JOHN SMIT Sept. 8, 1953 F. H, MUELLER ETAL DRILLING MACHINE Filed Nay 1'7, 1951 s 3 IIIIIIIIIIIIHI! 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Hllllllll INVENTOR UELLER SMITH FRANK H. M

JOHN J.

. ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 8, 1953 PATENT QFFICE' MACHINE 1H; Mueller-and John J'. Smith, Decatur. illl ggsignorg to Mueller Qo., Decatur, 111., n. n r. i Iliii9 Ma 1951i e e N ewi (o1. ire-av):

This invention relates. to a drilling machin for It is another objectof this invention to provide boring or tappinga supply pipeorn ein, iorsnch a drilling machine 'of thetype described that is purposes as inserting a, pipeline stopper or ar particularly adaptedlfor use in tapping'ma'ins valve therein or attaching-a, branch ooime ion hat are under high pr ssure. thereto. Since it. usually: is desirable to bore or 5 It is still another object of this invention to o d dvan am v ove m n B nt A described have b en d riv at e by Le air, co e te ireo machines a tion and cqnsequ'e tlylrelatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the followingoescription and accompanying drawin iniwhichin h machine mountedin. position .to tan a supply main, and with a drivin motor p tively connected thereto.

igure 2 i a, v ew oorrespondin o Figure 1, ut l ustrati he machine turnedthrou h' 90 an adapt d for man a operation.

Figu 3 a i aementary lon itudinal secwhen 0 1 line ...3 of gure 1, and

eeectiwfl view takenon 111. the

stall, w i i i ne damaeith e 1'1; Figure 5 is an lareed t bit. H

o o v. ,ren er sectional view tekenon line 5. 5 qfEi gnre 3.

Additionally, existin newer operabl d il in 35 Ei ur i a emerged trensver e otional v e. c Jim? .3. to

machines are notTi-ea -y co mph; to hand Viewtaken on line 6 6 of operation and are ra bersome'in' design,

i fore; an ohiectofthi inven ion to rovi e, a owerflone veblejdrillin type described which, in the en u te n a vobe s e c si e t acti' operate the'bit f direction, to theigehy fi i i TSidlQ it l i l tterf i iir R fe rin 19W ip-i 3 d wi p ior to the annin nereii e 5 .asshown in Figclamping means (not from theoh i c. reaction tor ue 0' th in t It is another n to vide a Towe r per b p sc ibes "o .t adaptable form nua tsmet tibn o It is another object of thisinvention to a drilling machine of th "Wh y-Pg in m ee io vo eesiili?13 1i. 1 7.2.1 m'i'n after ithals been tappea.

vided as a unitary fitting. In use, the drilling machine I8 is sealingly connected directly to the valve I4 by means of an adapter fitting I8 and the drill bit or boring tool 28 (see Figure 3) extends directly through the adapter I8, valve I4 and nipple I8 into engagement with the wall of the pipe I2 to be tapped. After the drilling operation has been completed and the pipe so tapped, the drill bit is withdrawn through the valve I4 and the latter closed. Thereafter the drilling machine I6 and the adapter I8 may be disconnected from th valve without escape of fluid from the main.

Referring now to FigureB of'the drawings, a drilling machine I8 embodying this invention consists of an elongated tubular body 22 having a smooth walled bore 24 through. The lower end of the body 22 is appropriately threaded, the adapter fitting I8. Mounted for axial and rotary movement within the bore 24 is a cylindrical boring bar 28 having a threaded socket 38 at its lower end for reception of a drill chuck 32 or a like tool. The lower end of the boring bar 28 is also provided with an enlarged circular bearing surface 34 which engages the wall of the bore 24 to support the boring bar therein. The upper end of the bore 24 is provided with an annular bearing 38 for the boring bar, which bearing is seated on a shoulder 38 in the bore somewhat inwardly of its upper end. This same end of the bore 24 is internally threaded for reception of a packing gland 48 which operates to compress pac 'ng 42 interposed between the gland and the bearing 35. The upper portion of the boring bar 28 above the gland 48 is of reduced diameter and projects upwardly out of the body 22. Thebar 28 is provided with a square, or otherwise suitably shaped, portion 44 adjacent its upper end for appropriate detachable connection with means to rotate the bar, such as the air motor 46 illustrated in Figure 1 or the manually-operated ratchet wrench 48 illustrated in Figure 2.

. Rotatably mounted on the reduced portion of the boring bar 28is a gear case 58 having a removable cover 52 secured thereto by means of bolts 54 and provided with a bore 56 therethrough for reception of the reduced portion of the bar 28. The gear case 58 is secured on the bar by a screw clamp 58 threaded onto the bar against a thrust washer 68 which, in turn, engages an exterior bearing surface 82 on the gear Splined or keyed to the boring bar 28 within the gear case 58 and bearing against the underside of the cover 52 is a drive gear 64 of relatively small diameter which bears, on its-underside, against a spacer washer 88 also mounted on the boring'bar. An anti-friction thrust bearing assembly 68 is mounted on the boring bar below and in spaced relation to the spacer washer 66. The thrust bearing assembly 68 bears against another washer 18 which rests on a shoulder 12 on the boring bar formed by the reduced portion thereof. Interposed between the spacer washer 68 and the bearing assembly 88 is an inwardly directed annular flange I4 of a bit-feeding sleeve 18 that is rotatably mounted on the boring bar and depends through a circular bore I8 in the bottom of the gear case 58, to extend concentrically over the body 22 for substantially the entire length of the latter. Abushing 88 is inserted between the inner edge of the flange I4 and the surface of the bar 28. The body 22 is provided with an exterior feed thread as at 28, for connection to I extending axially he e...

- sleeve I8 relative 82 extending substantially throughout its entire length, which thread 82 is engaged by an internal thread 84 on the lower end of the sleeve 16.

It will thus be seen that both the gear case 58 and the bit-feeding sleeve IS are rotatably mounted on the reduced portion of the boring bar 28' but held against a'xial movement thereon by the screw clamp 58 and the shoulder I2 on the bar. Hence, rotation of the bit-feeding to the body 22 will produce axial movement of the boring bar 28 within the body to' 'advanceor retract the bit 28 or other cutting tool carried by the chuck 32.

Prefer'ably the; annular surfaces of the gear case which bear ag'ainst the boring bar 28 and against'thesleeve 'IB are increased by exterior annular flanges 86 and 88, respectively. Since the gear case 58 is adapted to be filled with oil, suitable oil seals 98 and 92 are disposed in interior annular grooves 54 and 86 in the walls of the bores 56 and 18, respectively. A third annular oil seal 81 is disposed immediately below the washer I8 to engage the inner surface of the sleeve I6 and the surface of the boring bar 28. I

The sleeve I8 is automatically rotated to advance the bit during a drilling operation by a reduction gear drive from the boring bar. To this end, that portion of the sleeve 18 disposed within the gear case 58 has a large driven gear 98 splined or keyed thereto. This gear 98 meshes I88 fixed to a stub shaft 182 that is journalled in the cover 52 and bottom of the gear case 58 in spaced parallel relationship to the boring bar 28. The stub shaft I82 also has splined 'or keyed thereto a larger gear I84 which meshes with the small drive gear .84 on the boring bar to thereby drive the sleeve I8, upon rotation of the bar, in the same direction of rotation as the boring bar. Preferably the amount of reduction in the gear drive and the pitch of the feed thread 82 are correlated to the cutting rate of the bit in order to feed ortadvance the latter into'the work at proper ra e.

The body 22 is provided with an enlarged portion or relatively'thick annular flange I86 adjacent the lower-endthereof. Secured to the flange I88, as by welding or the like, and extending upwardly therefrom to provide an annular space in which the-bit feeding sleeve 16 is received, is a tubular member I88 which terminates somewhat below the upper end of the body. The upper end of the tubular member I88 is provided with an exterior annular flange Il8 that is recessed adjacent the sleeve I8 for the reception of a dirt seal II2, of felt or the like, that bears against the sleeve and is held in place by a removable annular cover H4. A ra-.

dial lug H6 is secured'to the flange H8 for purposes later described. 1

A radial port II8, controlled by a valve or test-cock I28, extends through the enlarged portion I86 of the body. This test-cock I28 is normally closed but can be opened to determine the absence or presence and condition of fluid within the bore 24 of the-body. Such determination gives an indication of the state of the main after it has been tapped, whether the bit has penetrated the wall of the main, or whether the valve I4 is open or closed 'afterTthe main has been tapped. g' j r The bit fe'eeding' sleeve 18 has, adjacent the lower end thereof, a 'radialaperture I22 that estat may be aligned, bysuitable relative 10113151011136! tween the Sleeve and thebody 22, with radial tool receiving openings I24. in the packing gland 40, thus providing access to the gland for tightening or otherwise adjusting the a same. The upper end of the bit feeding sleeve'16 is also provided with a radial weep hole I26 to ascertain leakage through the packing 42 and the gland 40.

When the machine is to be driven by the motor 46, as shown in Figure 1, a motor holder, indicated generally at I28, is employed. Such holder I28 is provided, on one side thereof, With a pair of apertured ears I30 for pivotally and detachably mounting the tion of the ear case 50 and detachably secured therein by a thumb screw I36. The post I32 has a horizontal bore I38 for receiving a rod-like element I39 that extends through the, ears I 30 and is detaohably secured in the bore I38 by a thumb screw I40. The other side of the holder I28 is provided with a pivoted hook I42 engagesuitable keeper pin I44 secured to the top of the gear case cover 52, to thus maintain the holder in upright position. The holder I28 has a generally funnel-shaped aperture I 46 that is alig ture I 46 of the holder.

The motor 46, illustrated in Figure .1, is of the gear reduction air-operated type since com- The motor housing I50 is provided with a pair of oppositely extending radial arms or handles I28 and the gearicase. During operation of the motor, reaction torque on the motor housing I51] easily may be counm o h u n vI511 W ll sudeeniyl ncreasethd Assuming thatthe boring bar 28 more mally is driven in a clockwise direction, as viewed through a relatively small arc with no tendency to injure the operator. If such oseillation cpntinues, the operator may, of .eourse, stop the motor.

Referring now to sense 7 post-receiving bore I34 in the gear case. Insertion of the rod I39 through both bores I34 and I68, as shown in Figure 2, fixes the gear case against rotation. It will b noted that the rod I39 thus serves a dual purpose. It is also pointed out that this same rod I39 has a bend at one end thereof that provides a lateral arm I10. This arm I'IIl may be inserted in the bore I68 in the lug IIS and the rod I39 employed as a torque wrench for screwing the body of th drilling machine into the adapter I8. In like manner, the rod can be used as a torque wrench, in conjunction with the vertical bore I34 in the gear case or the horizontal bore I38 in the post I32 (with the motor removed), to effect rotation of the gear case clockwise, and thus provide accelerated advance, or counterclockwise, and thus provide accelerated retraction, of the bit. Such accelerated advance of the bit may be desirable during some manual drilling operations wherein the design automatic feed rate is less than the capacity or cutting rate of the bit.

The radial lug IIS on the upper end of the tubular member I08 is provided with another vertical bore II2 parallel to and spaced from the bore I68. The bore I12 is adapted to receive a rod-like member I which is secured therein by a thumb screw I16 for adjustment longitudinally of the tubular member I08. The bit advancing sleeve 16 is provided near its upper end with an exterior circumferential indicium line I'IB for association with a pointer I8!) on the member I'M. In use, the drilling machine is connected to the adapter IB and the bit advanced, by rotation of the sleeve I6, until the bit contacts the pipe to be tapped. Thereupon the pointer I80 is adjusted a distance below the line I18 equal to the depth of the cut to be effected, i. e., the thickness of the pipe wall. It will thus be seen that after the drilling operation commences the distance between the line I18 and the pointer I80 will provide a ready indication of the depth of the out still to be effected in order to penetrate the pipe. In the alternative, if the pointer I80 is set at the indicium line I18 when the bit contacts the pipe, the distance between the pointer and the line after the drilling operation commences will give an indication of the depth of the cut effected at any time during the drilling operation. A gland adjusting tool I82, for insertion through the aperture I22, may be conveniently detachably mounted on the lower end of the rod-like member I14.

It will thus be seen that the objects of the invention have been accomplished both fully and effectively by an improved drilling machine. It also will be realized that various changes and modifications may be made in the specific embodiment which has been disclosed to illustrate the principles of the invention. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications which are encompassed by the spirit and scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. In a drilling machine, the combination comprising: a hollow tubular body adapted to be fixedly mounted during drilling operations; a boring bar mounted for axial and rotary movement within said body, said bar having one end thereof adapted for connection to a drilling tool and the other end thereof projecting out of said body for connection to a driving motor; rotatable tool feeding means operatively connecting said bar and said body for axial movement of said bar by rotation of said means; gear carrying means mounted for rotation about the axis of said'bar; gear meanscarried in part by said gear carrying means andoperatively connecting said barjto said tool feeding means for reductively driving the latter from the former and for effecting accelerated tool-advancing rotation of said tool feeding means by rotation of said gear carrying means in the direction of drilling rotation of said bar; and means for mounting a bar-driving motor on said gear carrying means with the motor housing in fixed relation thereto, said gear carrying means being adapted to be yieldably restrained against rotation during operation of the motor. to drive said boring bar.

2. The structure defined in claim 1 in which the tool feeding means is rotatable about an axis aligned with the axis of the boring bar.

3. The structure defined in claim 1 in which the gear carrying means is mounted for rotation on the projecting end of the boring bar.

4. The structure defined in claim 1 in which the gear carrying means comprises a gear case mounted for rotation on the projecting end of the boring bar and the gear means comprises a stub shaft iournalled within said case parallel to and spaced from said bar, a pair of gears fixed to said shaft, and a pair of gears fixed to said bar and the tool feeding means, respectively, and meshing with said first mentioned pair of gears.

5. The structure defined in claim 1 in which the tool feeding means comprises a sleeve concentric with the body, threadedly engaged therewith, and swivelly connected to the boring bar.

6. The structure defined in claim 1 in which the motor-mounting means movably mounted in an aperture in the gear carrying means, said aperture being parallel to the axis of the boring bar.

'7. The structure defined in claim 1 in which the motor-mounting means comprises a post removably mounted in an aperture in the gear carrying means and including means fixed to the body and having an aperture alignable with said first mentioned aperture, whereby said gear carrying means may be locked against rotation for hand operation of theboring bar by inserting a rod through both said apertures.

8. The structure defined in claim 1 including means defining alignable apertures in the gear carrying means and in the body, and rigid means for insertion through both said apertures to block said gear carrying means against rotation for hand operation of the boring bar.

7 9. A drilling machine for tapping a supply pipe or main comprising: a hollow tubular body adapted to be fixedly secured to a pipe to be tapped; a boring bar extending axially within said body and mounted for rotative and axial movement relative thereto, one end of said bar sealingly projecting out of said body and being adapted for connection to a driving motor and the other end of said bar being connectable to a drill bit; a rotatable bit feeding sleeve swivelly connected to said one bar end and threadedly engaged with said body for effecting axial movement of said bar upon rotation of said sleeve; 2. gear case rotatably mounted on said projecting end of said bar; a reduction gear train mounted in part on said case and operatively connecting said bar to said sleeve for rotation of the latter to advance the bit upon drilling rotation of said bar, said gear train also being effective to rotate said sleeve in a bit-advancing direction upon rotation of said case in the direction of drilling rotation of said bar; and means for detachably mounting a motor on said'case, with the motor housing in comprises a post resleeve to thereby relieve the excessive reaction torque without undue whipping of-the motor and said gear case. a

gear case rotatably mounted on said projecting end of said bar; areduction gear train mounted in part on said case-and'operatively connecting said bar-to said sleeve for rotation of the latter to advance the-bit-upon drilling rotation of said bar, said gear train also being effective to rotate said sleeve in a bit-advancing direction upon rotation of said case in the direction of drilling rotation of said bar; and a motor detachably mounted the motor housing in fixed relation thereto, and bar for driving the same, said case being adapted to be yieldingly restrained against rotation during operation of said motor, whereby when the reaction torque of said motor suddenly becomes excessive, as by the drill bit encountering an obstruction, said gear case will rotate in a direction to effect, by means of said gear train, bit-retracting rotation of said sleeve to thereby relieve the excessive reaction torque without undue whipping of said motor and gear case.

11. In a drilling machine for tapping a supply pipe or main under pressure, the combination comprising: a hollow tubular body having one end thereof adapted to be fixedly secured to a pipe to be tapped; a boring bar extending axially Within said body and mounted for rotative and axial movement relative thereto, one end of said bar projecting out of the other end of said body for connection to means to rotate said bar and the other end of said bar being connectable to a drill bit; a rotatable bit-feeding sleeve swivelly connected to said projecting end of said bar and threadedly engaged over said body; means for rotating said sleeve; packing interposed between said body and said bar adjacent said projecting end of the latter; a gland nut threadedly engaging said body for compressing said packing and having adjusting-tool engageable means; and means defining an aperture in said sleeve alignable with said tool engageable means on said nut for insertion of a nut-adjusting tool through said aperture into operative engagement with said nut.

12. The structure defined in claim 11 in which the aperture is disposed adjacent that end of the sleeve remote from the swivel connection thereof with the bar.

13. In a drilling machine for tapping a supply pipe or main, the combination comprising: a hollow tubular body adapted to be fixedly secured to a pipe to be tapped; a boring bar extending operatively connected to said a 14. In a drilling machinefor tapping a supply pipe or main the combination comprising: a holsecured at one end thereof to said-"one end of said body and enclosing saidqsleeve, the other end of said tube being disposed adjacent said other end of said body.

15. The structure defined in claim 14 including means onthe other end of said tube for rotating the body in order to secure the same in fixed relation to a pipe to be tapped.

16. The structure defined in claim 14 including a gear case rotatably mounted on the projecting end of the bar and a gear train mounted in part on said case and operatively connecting said bar to the bit feeding sleeve for rotation of the latter upon rotation of said bar.

17. The structure defined in claim 14 including a gear case rotatably mounted on the projecting end of the bar; a gear train mounted in part on said case and operatively connecting said bar to the bit feeding sleeve for rotation of the latter upon rotation of said bar; and rigid means adapted to detachably connect said gear case to the other end of the tube against relative rotation therebetween.

18. The structure defined in claim 14 including a gear case rotatably mounted on the projecting end of the bar; a gear train mounted in part on said case and operatively connecting said bar to the bit feeding sleeve for rotation of the latter upon rotation of said bar; a radial lug on the other end of the tube; and means defining alignable apertures through said lug and said gear case for reception of bar-like means to prevent relative rotation between said case and said body.

19. The structure defined in claim 14 including a radial lug on the other end of the tube; and a pointer mounted on said lug for adjustment axially of the sleeve, said sleeve having a circumferential indicium line thereon for indicating, in association with said pointer, the extent of axial movement of the bit during tapping operations.

20. In a drilling machine for tapping a supply pipe or main the combination comprising: a hollow tubular body having one end thereof adapted to be fixedly secured to a pipe to be tapped; a boring bar extending axially within said body and mounted for rotative and axial movement relative thereto; one end of said bar projecting from the other end of said body for connection to means to rotate said bar and the other end of said bar being connectable to a drill bit; a bit feeding sleeve swivelly connected to said projecting end of said bar and threadedly engaged over said body; means for rotating said sleeve; and a tube secured at one end thereof to said one end of said body and enclosing said sleeve, the other end of said tube terminating adjacent said other end of said body; a radial lug on the other end of said tube and having an aperture therethrough parallel to the axis of said bar; and a pointer mounted in said aperture for adjustment axially of said bar, said sleeve having a circumferential indicium line thereon for indicating, in association with said pointer, the extent of axial movement of the bit during tapping operation.

21. A drilling machine for tapping a supply pipe or main comprising: a hollow tubular body having one end thereof adapted to be fixedly secured to a pipe to be tapped; a boring bar concentrically mounted for axial and rotative movement within said body, one end of said bar sealingly projecting from the other end of said body for connection to means to rotate said bar and the other end of said bar being connectable to a drill bit; a bit feeding sleeve threadedly engaged over said body and having one end thereof swivelly connected to said projecting bar end for advancing and retracting the bit by rotation of said sleeve; a gear case rotatably mounted on said projecting bar end against axial movement thereon and enclosing said swivelly-connected sleeve end; a pair of axially-spaced gears fixed to said bar and said sleeve, respectively, within said case; a rotatable shaft mounted within said case parallel to said bar; a pair of axially-spaced gears carried by said shaft and meshing with said first-mentioned pair of gears for rotating said sleeve by rotation of said bar, all of said gears constituting a reduction drive for said sleeve; and bracket means for detachably mounting a motor on said case, with the motor housing in fixed relation thereto, for driving connection to said projecting bar end.

22. The structure defined in claim 21 including a tube having one end thereof fixed to the said one end'of the body and extending substantially the length of the same in enclosing relationship with the bit-feeding sleeve; a radial lug on the other end of said sleeve; means defining alignable apertures in said lug and the gear ease; and rod-like means insertable through said apertures for securing said case against rotation.

FRANK H. MUELLER. JOHN J. SMITH.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

